Metal film resistors are one type of resistor used in through hole components. They are constructed of a metal film coated onto a ceramic core and encased in a cylindrical metal casing. One end of the resistor has a strip of metal—called the “lead”—through which the resistor is connected to a circuit board. For this reason, these types of resistors are also known as “through-hole resistors”.
Metal film resistors are preferred because they offer good power dissipation and high accuracy. They are able to perform more repeatable voltage and current ratings, faster temperature coefficients, and greater noise suppression than other resistor materials. They are also more accurate compared to carbon film resistors because of their lower temperature coefficient and higher tolerance ratings. Additionally, metal film resistors are available in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, which allows for larger current ratings without taking up much space.